Work Text:
Tristan Taylor and Seto Kaiba shared the awkward silence of teens who have little in common, aside from a friendship with the person they were both waiting for. They were standing at the foot of the stairs between the science hall and the home-EC wing of Domino High. The thinning traffic of passing students moved past them like ships past a dangerous reef. The lunch bell had wrung moments ago and everyone else had places to be.
The sound of hurried footsteps and a general disturbance in the crowd indicated someone approaching at speed and against the flow of traffic. Seto recognized the footsteps and stepped forward, away from the wall. His little brother dove into the space he had created a second later, panting.
The passing students parted as a pair of burly juniors arrived on the scene. One of them was yelling “Get back here you little shi – Oh!”
They skidded to a halt as they realized that their quarry was currently hiding behind Domino High School’s richest, and most volatile student. “Never-mind.” One of them muttered, “Sorry to bother you.” The other said as they both turned on their heels and walked quickly away.
Bakura, who had been coming down the hall behind them and hadn’t anticipated their abrupt change of direction, dodged out of the way, flinching reflexively. The two juniors were too preoccupied with leaving to take a swing at him. Bakura looked after them, bemused, then turned around to see Seto, still glaring daggers at their retreating backs, and Mokuba, crouched behind his bother’s coat tails, panting and giggling.
“Ah,” Bakura said, putting the pieces together, “Is Mokuba being a little shit again?”
“Mm-Hm!” Mokuba agreed, nodding shamelessly. As a freshman with with a powerful upperclassman for an older bother, he was having a lot of fun messing with people and then avoiding the consequences.
Any further conversation was curtailed by the sound of someone coming down the stairs significantly faster than was safe. Fortunately the lunch crowds had dispersed at this point, so there was no one for Yugi to collide with when he reached the bottom. “Hi!” he said, panting slightly, “Where’s Tea and Joey?”
“They’re on their way.” Bakura said, gesturing back down the hall.
Seto looked over at Yugi with narrowed eyes. “Are you taller?” He asked, only slightly nervously.
“Hm? Oh, Boots!” Yugi said, balancing on one foot and waving the other in the air to show off three inch platform boots.
“Nice.” Bakura said at the same time that Mokuba said, “Cool.” Seto breathed a sigh of relief that there was a mundane explanation this time.
“Come on, let’s go meet them, we’re going this way anyway.” Yugi said, leading the group down the hall towards Joey and Tea.
“Hey Yuge, why weren’t you on the bus this morning?” Joey asked.
“Come and see.” Yugi said proudly, “Anyway, remember last year when I took drivers ed?”
This cued eye rolls and groans of “Yes” from everyone but Seto and Mokuba.
“I don’t! I wasn’t here last year!” Mokuba objected.
“It was, A THING.” Yugi said, voice filled with exasperation.
Joey took a deep breath and Seto blanched. He’d experienced Joey Wheeler explaining things before, and it wasn’t an experience he was eager to repeat.
Bakura noticed his reaction and jumped in before Joey could begin. “So you know Yugi’s a bit short right? The only car the school had where he could reach the pedals, didn’t have enough head room for his hair. The driving instructor told him to either cut his hair or just not take drivers ed. Our math teacher stepped up to help him out, appealed it all the way to the school board who ended up borrowing a car from a private driving school just for him.”
“Anyway, this weekend Grandpa bought me a van.” Yugi said, gesturing proudly to the dusty grayish minivan parked at the edge of the lot. He beamed as his friends made congratulatory noises, though Seto didn’t think it was a particularly impressive vehicle. It looked like something an old lady would drive.
“So.” Yugi said, “Who wants to go to the drive through at Burger Monarch for lunch?”
“I call shotgun!” Joey bellowed, close enough to Seto’s ear to make him wince.
Seto quietly pulled a hundred dollar bill out of his wallet and offered it to Joey. “Would this persuade you to relinquish that seat to me?” He asked quietly.
“What?” Joey said.
Seto, remembering who he as talking to, sighed and dialed his vocabulary down a few notches. “I’ll give you this if you let me sit in the front seat.” He said.
Joey had understood him just fine the first time. He’d been reacting in surprise that someone would offer him a hundred dollars just for the front seat. “Yeah sure,” he said, taking the money and climbing in the back.
“You know.” Bakura said, “I was hoping to sit in the front seat myself.”
Looking up Seto saw that Tea and Tristan were standing behind Bakura with expectant expressions on their faces. He hesitated for a moment, realizing that what had seemed like a good idea in the moment wasn’t actually. He also wasn’t sure how to extract himself from the situation. He thought briefly about asking Yugi to call the jackals off, but what was he supposed to say? “Yugi, your friends are extorting money from me, make them stop.”? He wasn’t even sure that Yugi would, and he didn’t want to beg with Mokuba watching.
Rationalizing that he had paid more for things he wanted less, Seto handed out three more hundred dollar bills. Then he walked around to the passenger’s side door where he found Mokuba, already installed in the front seat.
“Mokuba, move.” Seto said irritably.
“Make me.” His little brother retorted with a grin, knowing full well that Seto wouldn’t.
* * *
“Can you move over?” Seto asked Tristan irritably.
“I cannot.” Tristan replied.
“Can Joey move over?” Seto asked, slightly more irritably.
“Not unless I climb out the window.” Joey offered.
“Don’t!” Yugi and Tristan said at the same time.
The middle seat of the van did have three seat belts. It appeared to have been designed for three small children, and the three full gown teen age boys currently occupying it were having a bit of trouble. Seto was on the end. He’d managed to cram one butt cheek on to the seat and the other was planted on thin air. He had a hold of the handle above the door, and on the way to Burger Monarch he’d managed to hook his other arm over the back of the seat and support his weight from his arms. Now however he was holding a greasy paper bag with one hand. He wasn’t about to set something he planned to eat on van floor which was carpeted with something that was probably older than him, and probably not originally brown.
“You could come back here and be a foot rest with me.” Bakura offered. He was sitting in one of the four seats in the back row. Tea was occupying the other three, stretched out leaning against the wall with her feet in Bakura’s lap. He had used them to prop up the Monster Manuel he was reading.
“No thank you.” Seto said, then he asked, “How can you read back there without getting carsick?”
“Who says I’m not carsick?” Bakura asked, taking another sip of his milkshake.
“You seem awful cheerful.” Seto grumbled. He was feeling a bit carsick himself, as the smell of takeout mingled with the smell of the van. It had an odor of cigarettes, antifreeze and an insufficient amount of cheap air-freshener. It also shuddered and lurched in a way that was most unlike any vehicle he’d ridden in before.
Bakura shrugged, “I’m having a nice day.” He replied, “why should I let some mild nausea change that?” It had been a very nice day as far as Bakura was concerned. He hadn’t gotten punched, he’d gotten a hundred dollars, and a milkshake.
Seto turned back around, looking out the window. “I should have had the front seat.” He grumbled to no one in particular.
“I hope you’re not expecting your money back, it’s as good as spent.” Tristan said.
“I’m not asking for it back.” Seto snapped, Kibacorp had made ten times that amount in the time it had taken them to get lunch, the money really didn’t matter. “I’m just annoyed I didn’t get what I paid for.”
“You paid for your brother to not get thrown out of the front seat by his ear.” Joey said casually.
“You would not.” Seto stated. It was a simple fact, even Joey wasn’t stupid enough to lay a hand on his little brother and everyone there knew it.
“No one is getting thrown anywhere by anything.” Yugi said. He hadn’t said much, focusing on driving, but he did step in to redirect the conversation as needed.
He’s a natural leader, even if he doesn't recognize it. Seto thought to himself. He could count on one hand the number of CEO’s he knew who could manage their staff as well as Yugi managed his friends. I suppose that’s why I ended up following him on this idiot adventure.
The van pulled back into the school and Seto got out as gracefully as he could, staggering a little as his knees and lower back protested the seating arrangement he had subjected them to. The group drifted over to the table under the shade trees at the edge of the lawn to enjoy their lunches.
Seto took a seat at the base of one of the trees where he could stretch his legs out. Mokuba was up at the picnic table with Bakura looking over the monster manual and debating which beast killed you in the most horrible way. Seto was glad to see that his little brother was making friends. Mokuba had never had any trouble finding like minds online, but Seto didn’t trust people he couldn't see. Yugi’s friends seemed nice enough, they seemed to enjoy the younger boy’s company rather than just tolerating him. Seto knew that Mokuba could be a little goblin sometimes, most of the time honestly, but Bakura in particular seemed adept at redirecting his violent impulses into socially acceptable outlets.
“It’s good to know that if I died Mokuba would have people to look out for him.” Seto thought, it was something he had worried about often.
Tristan, Tea and Joey had eaten their food on the drive back, and were now playing some sort of violent game that involved a lot of running around and yelling. Seto had no idea what the rules were, but it was pretty entertaining to watch Joey get chased up a tree by the other two. Yugi had bolted his food down in a way reminiscent of the seagulls in the parking lot, and was now cheering his friends on.
Joey kept retreating to thinner and thinner branches until he fell out of the tree. Then he ran back to the trunk and started shaking it. Tea just grabbed the branch she was on like a koala and stayed put. Tristan lost his grip but turned the fall into a controlled jump. When he hit the ground he took off running, and for some reason now Joey was chasing him. Tea descended the tree on her own and took off after the pair of them. Yugi attempted to keep up but was quickly left behind.
Munching on the last of his cold fries, Seto considered that this was a nice change of scene from how he usually spent his lunch hour. Most days he would hole up in a computer lab, or the library, or the physics room, though that teacher tried to make conversation. He would work on things, and usually forget to eat. Taking time to relax, eat food and let someone else be in charge of decisions was actually really nice. And no one had tried to talk to him since they had gotten back which he appreciated.
I could have been doing this a lot sooner if I hadn’t decided to start shit with Yugi, he realized. Of course he knew who’s fault that whole disaster had been. Gozaboro Kaiba had never allowed him to not be the best at everything he did. He had regularly reminded Seto that there were a million other kids out there who would want to be his heir. Anytime someone was better than him at anything, Gozaboro would start suggesting that maybe he should just get rid of Seto and adopt this other kid instead. Logically it wouldn't be that simple, but logic does not win over fear. Best case scenario he and Mokuba would have ended up back at the orphanage. Worst case, well Gozaboro had already lost one son, and there hadn’t been much of an investigation. There probably wouldn't have been much of one if it had happened again.
Being the best had never been a mater of ego, it had been a matter of survival. Once he was in that habit, not taking every challenge as if it were a life or death situation that he had to win, that was taking some time to learn. How many more parts of my life am I going to find out that bastard fucked up? Seto wondered. At least Gozaboro was dead now, and no longer a threat.
With his childhood trauma fresh on his mind it took an effort of will for Seto to not jump to his feet when he realized that someone was approaching him. Yugi sat down on the grass next to him, red faced and wheezing.
“Are you ok?” Seto asked awkwardly, unused to expressing concern for anyone other than Mokuba.
“Yeah,” pant, “just my,” pant, “asthma.” Yugi wheezed, “They must,” pant “have mowed.”
“Should you take something for it?”
“In a minute,” Yugi paused to focus on breathing, “If I don’t feel better.” breathing, “I will.”
Seto remembered hearing something about how medicine could be expensive and not everyone could afford what they needed. “Are you worried about affording your medication?” He asked, “I could help with that if you need me too, you know I have money.”
Yugi waved the offer away, “It’s not that.” He took another deep breath, but he seemed to be breathing more regularly now, “I’m fine, honest. I just needed to sit down for a minute and catch my breath. I just, HATE when my lungs itch.”
“Yeah, that sounds unpleasant,” said Seto, who had never experienced such a thing, but had a good enough imagination to empathize.
“It really is.” Yugi took a few more deep breaths, “Yeah, I’m fine now, I just probably should stop running around.” He leaned back against the tree, and also somewhat against Seto’s shoulder.
Seto considered moving, or saying something about that, but he didn’t actually mind. Instead he decided to change the subject. “Thanks for driving today, and for like, being a cautious driver, I noticed that you were being careful, and I appreciate that.” Oh that was awkward, I don’t usually have trouble giving people complements on their work. Seto thought, Is it because I’m used to talking to people who work for me and I know exactly what our relationship is?
Yugi looked over at him, “Of course I was careful, all of my friends were in the car, I don’t want any of you to get hurt.” He said sincerely, then added, “Also it’s not legal for me to have other teens in the vehicle until I’ve had my license for six moths, so I really didn’t want to get pulled over.”
Seto stared at him for a moment then laughed incredulously, “Yeah, that would have been inconvenient for everyone.” After a moment’s thought he asked, “No offense, but, why a granny van?”
“None taken, it is quite literately a granny van. Gramps bought it from one of his girlfriends.” Yugi explained.
Seto had never wanted to hear the words “Gramps” and “girlfriend” in the same sentence and the plural only made it worse.
“Thing is, the van was affordable, low mileage for all that it’s old, the last owner just drove it to the grocery store once a week for like, the past twenty years. It does have airbags, and a good crash test rating, so it’s a safe vehicle.” Yugi explained, “It also has enough room for all my friends and as long as I wear these boots I can reach the pedals. Also Gramps says the cops never even look at vehicles like that, so there’s also that.” He thought a minute then said, “Sorry you didn’t get the front seat.”
“It’s fine.” Seto said, and was mildly surprised that he wasn’t lying. It had been an uncomfortable car ride, but it hadn’t been a long one, and the rest of the adventure had made up for it.
Yugi smiled, “Thanks for coming with us, it’s nice to just hang out when there isn’t anything serious going on.”
“Yeah, it is.” Seto said. I’m as bad as the rest of these jackals. He thought, in a moment of self awareness, I’d follow him anywhere.
Neither of them said anything for a while, just sitting in a companionable silence. Seto was full of food, he knew where his brother was and that he was safe, and he was confident that if anyone wanted to mess with him, Yugi’s violent friends would intervene before they got very far. He felt safe enough to close his eyes, planning to open them if he heard anything concerning.
Yugi noticed when Seto’s breathing shifted to the regular rhythm of someone who was asleep.
His trust is a rare thing, and it is an honor that he has given it to you. Yami commented from where he was sitting, or rather floating in a seated position very near the ground.
I know, Yugi thought back. I hope this means we’re friends now. He seems really lonely, and I remember what that was like.
The fact that he feels comfortable enough around you to fall asleep is a good sign. Yami said.
You make him sound like a stray cat. Yugi thought back, amused.
There are some notable similarities. The ghost agreed. Like a cat he is also adorable.
Yugi blushed a bit at that, and was glad no one was close enough to notice. He knew the ghost liked tall brunettes, and was flexible on the subject of gender.
* * *
At the picnic table in the shade Mokuba glanced over and saw his brother sitting under the tree with his eyes closed and Yugi sitting next to him with his head on his shoulder. “Is he asleep?” he asked incredulously.
Bakura glanced over, “Yeah,” he said, then noting Mokuba’s expression added, “Do not go mess with your brother while he is sleeping.”
Mokuba sighed and sat back down. He really wanted to be in the next campaign that Bakura was planning to run, and “prove that you won’t be a brat the whole time” had been one of the preconditions. Also Mokuba admired the older boy, and was impressed with his apparent immunity to being horrified.
“I’m glad we’re friends with you guys now.” Mokuba admitted, “It’s fun hanging out.”
“Yes, it has been a pleasant day hasn’t it?” Bakura agreed.